The advanced materials, quantum sensors, and superconductor industries are the central axes of the quantum technology, AI, and new material convergence industry
, and the global market size is expected to grow by more than 20% annually between 2025 and 2026, reaching approximately USD 300 billion in 2030. Access to materials, components, technology cooperation, and procurement markets
through FTAs is a key competitive factor, and Korea is expanding its exports of quantum materials, measurement equipment, and nanoprocessing technology based on the Korea-EU, RCEP, CEPA, and IPEF . Key risks include the absence of technical standards, export controls, patent and IPR disputes, CBAM-type energy regulations , and the securitization of AI and quantum technology (in preparation for Q-Day) .
Risk factors | 2025-2026 Outlook | Influence (1~5) | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absence of technical standards | Intensifying competition among countries for standards | 5 | Participation in ISO/IEC joint standards is necessary. |
| export controls | Quantum sensor and superconducting technology limitations | 4 | Resolution through Korea-EU technology agreement |
| CBAM proliferation | High-energy materials and process regulations | 4 | Strengthening LCA and RE100 response |
| IP disputes | Patent and material licensing disputes | 3 | Utilizing IP protection provisions within FTAs |
| Research personnel limitations | Technology Leakage and Security Enhancement | 3 | Parallel technology security agreements are necessary. |
FTAs mean more than just tariff reductions
in the advanced materials and quantum sensor industries. The Korea-EU-CEPA-RCEP agreement includes chapters on technology, standards, and research cooperation , supporting the accumulation of origin
for quantum sensor and superconductor equipment , market access, and technical data exchange
. CEPA is particularly expanding into joint Korea-UAE R&D through the UAE Quantum and New Materials Cluster Project .
Sub-fields | FTA applicability | Major challenges | Management Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superconducting materials (HS8541/7006) | Korea-EU-RCEP | Safety/Standard Discrepancies | CE·IEC certification |
| Quantum sensor (HS9027) | CEPA·Korea-EU | IP·Export Control | Joint patent and technology security system |
| Nanomaterials (HS3824) | RCEP·IPEF | Environmental and CBAM Regulations | LCA·Low Carbon Certification |
| Low-temperature cooling and measuring equipment | CEPA·RCEP | Complicated procurement process | Utilizing CEPA technology procurement |
While most advanced materials and quantum equipment are low-tariff items, technological security, standards certification, and environmental assessments pose barriers.
FTAs alleviate these practical barriers to entry through technology recognition, open procurement markets, and mutual recognition of standards .
market | Main items | MFN (basic rate) | When FTA is applied | non-tariff barriers | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | Quantum sensors and superconducting materials | 0~3% | 0% | CBAM·Ecolabel | LCA and carbon data obligations |
| UAE | Nano-sensor equipment | 5~8% | CEPA phase-out | Technology Security and Procurement Regulations | Korea and the UAE are engaged in bilateral industrial cooperation. |
| japan | Nanomaterials and measuring equipment | 2~4% | RCEP application | JIS Safety Certification | Can be alleviated through joint R&D |
| USA | Quantum materials and cooling systems | 0~2% | FTA low rate | ITAR·AI Security | CHIPS·Quantum Initiative Linkage |
| ASEAN | Advanced materials | 3~6% | RCEP cumulative | Quality and environmental regulations | Expanding production bases and OEMs |
The advanced materials industry is evaluated as an industry that has high-power and high-carbon processes ,
but at the same time supplies **carbon reduction technology materials (superconductivity, power efficiency, quantum resistance)**.
System/Issue | Core requirements | Influence (1~5) | react |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBAM | Submission of carbon data by material process | 5 | LCA·EPD construction |
| ESG procurement | Production and supply chain transparency | 4 | ESG Certification and Disclosure |
| RE100 | Renewable power for research and production facilities | 3 | PPA·ESS linkage |
| Technical standards | Participation in ISO/IEC international standards | 4 | Securing standards leadership |
| safety regulations | Superconductor and cooling equipment safety certification | 3 | IEC·CE integrated certification |
Korea: Strengthening material-equipment linkage industrial clusters based on core nano, superconductivity, and quantum sensor technologies.
EU: Demand for low-carbon, advanced materials surges due to the Green Deal and CBAM , expanding procurement market openness.
UAE: Establishing a CEPA-based quantum and materials R&D cluster.
ASEAN: Emerging as a hub for advanced materials intermediate processing.
United States: Strengthening local production and supply chains based on the IRA and CHIPS laws.
Combining AI sentiment (α), global advanced materials investment indicator (β), and industrial sentiment (λ), a gradual upward trend is expected
in the fourth quarter of 2025 , driven by expanded EU/CEPA technology procurement and increased demand for ESG-friendly materials .
variable | Δ(%) or exponent | analysis |
|---|---|---|
| ΔExport_now | +3.5 | Increased exports of superconducting materials and quantum sensors |
| ΔImport_now | +1.8 | Expanding imports of high-purity materials and measuring equipment |
| ΔPrice_now | +0.6 | Reflecting the increase in raw material and process costs |
| ΔSignal_now | +0.042 | Positive technology and R&D news |
| ΔFTAEffect | +0.39 | CEPA·RCEP technological effects |
| Forecast_3M | +0.66 | 3 months of gradual upward trend |
Formula (summary): Forecast_3M = 0.5·ΔSignal + 0.3·ΔFTAEffect + 0.2·ΔPrice
field | Suggestion | Executor | Expected effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical standards | Expanding Participation in ISO/IEC Quantum and Superconductivity Standards | Ministry of Science and ICT and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy | Securing technological leadership |
| CBAM response | Support for LCA certification of low-carbon advanced materials | Ministry of Environment and KTR | Stable entry into the European market |
| IP protection | Expansion of technology and data protection provisions within FTAs | Trade Headquarters | Minimizing technology theft and disputes |
| CEPA cooperation | Operation of a joint quantum and materials R&D program | Ministry of Science and ICT·KOTRA | Expanding into the Middle East and EU markets |
| ESG incentives | Expanding RE100 Certification for Advanced Materials | Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Electric Power Corporation | Strengthening procurement competitiveness |
For the advanced materials, quantum sensors, and superconductor industries, cooperation on technology standards, ESG, and procurement through FTAs is key to accelerating growth.
Forecast_3M: +0.66 — Reflecting the technological benefits of CEPA and RCEP and the expansion of the EU procurement market.
Recommended strategies: ① Strengthening standards and IP within the FTA technology chapter, ② Expanding joint research based on CEPA
, ③ Establishing an LCA system in response to CBAM, and ④ Strengthening the advanced materials supply chain based on ESG+RE100.
